Several users complained of getting an update error 0x8024800c when they were trying to install pending updates on their Windows 11/10 PCs. If you are one such user and are wondering what to do next, this article is for users like you. In this post, we will discuss what may trigger such an issue and five workarounds that might help you to overcome this error code on Windows.
On what factors, does Windows Update fail on error 0x8024800c?
Windows Updates fail to install or get stuck midway when your device meets one or a combination of the following issues on your computer.
- The required services are not running in the background
- The presence of corrupt system files or folders
- Corruption within the Windows Cache folders
- You are connected to a weak network
Now that you know what may trigger this error code, let’s see how to address this issue on Windows 11/10.
Ways to Solve Windows Update Error 0x8024800c
If you are unable to upgrade your Windows 11/10 PC to its next available Build version on account of some error code 0x8024800c, consider applying the below fixes one after another.
Note: Before you apply any workaround, make sure that you are connected to a stable network. This is important as you can’t download Windows updates when connected to a low-end internet connection.
1] Check if all update services are enabled and running
For an update to install successfully, all update-related services must remain enabled and running in the background. The three important services that must be running in the background are as follows –
- Windows Update
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service
- Cryptographic services
Follow the below instructions on how to check for each service and re-enabled them, if they are disabled or not running.
- Right-click on the Windows icon and select Run.
- Type
services.mscon it and hit OK. - In the Services window, scroll down and locate the services provided above.
- When found, right-click on it and choose to either Start or Restart.
Note: If a service is disabled, you will see NOT running next to it under the Status column.
After you enable all these services, go to Settings > Windows Update, and hit Check for updates.
2] Troubleshoot Windows Update
If the error code 0x8024800c is still appearing even after enabling all update services, try troubleshooting the Windows update. The steps vary slightly from Windows 11 to Windows 10, and hence we have included the steps separately. Let’s learn how to troubleshoot Windows Update on your computer –
Windows 11:
- Press Windows + I to launch Settings.
- Go to System on the left sidebar and then navigate to the following path on the right pane –
Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
- Locate Windows Update under Most frequent and hit the Run button available beside it.
- Let the troubleshooter launch and when it does start, hit the Next button over it.
- Now, follow the on-screen instructions to find and resolve the issues preventing Windows Update on your PC.
Windows 10:
- Right-click on the Windows icon and select Settings.
- Select Update & Security and then Troubleshoot from the left sidebar.
- Head over to the right pane and click on Additional troubleshooters.
- When this section expands, click Windows Update under “Get up and running” and hit Run the troubleshooter. See the Snapshot below –
- Click Next on the troubleshooting window and follow the on-screen instructions that appear moving forward.
I hope this solution alone resolves the error code 0x8024800c on Windows 11/10 PC. If not, you may check out the fixes discussed below.
3] Disable Third-party Antivirus and Run SFC
Third-party antivirus programs are known to constantly interact with the system files and make them corrupt. If you do use some external antivirus and are facing trouble installing Windows updates, you should uninstall that particular app from your computer. In case you don’t want to remove that security app, you must at least disable it from running on your PC.
After you have uninstalled or disabled using an external antivirus on your computer, repair missing as well as corrupt system files using the SFC scan. Here’s how to perform this task in Windows –
- Press Windows + R to launch the Run dialog.
- Type CMD on it and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys altogether.
- The UAC window will prompt next, hit Yes to authorize opening Command Prompt as an administrator.
- On the elevated console, type the following, and press Enter –
sfc /scannow
- The System File Checker utility will run next and begin repairing the corrupt system files on your computer. This tool will also add the files that had gone missing on your Windows PC.
- Wait for this process to finish 100%, and once this state is achieved, restart Windows.
Sign back into your device again and check if you can update Windows normally.
4] Reset Windows Update Components
SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 are two cache folders that store all relevant information regarding an update in Windows 11/10. Any corruption within this folder may cause Windows Update to fail on different error codes including an error 0x8024800c.
If that’s the case, you must purge both these folders and check if you can update Windows normally. Before you clear the contents inside these two folders i.e. SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2, make sure to stop all update services on your computer. Here’s a complete guideline on how to reset update components in Windows.
5] Manually download and install pending updates in Windows
If none of the above fixes work to resolve this error code 0x8024800c in Windows, you should manually download the relevant updates and install them manually on your computer. When you are inside Microsoft’s Update Catalog, make sure to download the update matching your system architecture.
The update file downloads as .msu file format which you may install by merely double-clicking on it. Wait for a few minutes while the update is installed on your computer. Here’s a complete guideline on how to download and install pending updates manually on Windows 10 or Windows 11.
